Originally Posted by samsmug

Agreed. Airline pilots will be obsolete in 10 years, possibly less. Cargo first, then passenger. It's going to happen faster than we want to admit.

Go learn to write 3d computing, machine learning or deep learning code.

We're talking about career paths on opposing trajectories...good luck whichever way you go.

Originally Posted by samsmug

I'll concede that 10 years is likely to be the soonest we'll see automation of cockpits, but I stand by the sentiment of my post. Once a pilot is no longer needed, we are obsolete. Culture and politics will determine how fast we are out of work.

Automation is coming, it may be 10, 20, or 100 years away. Before it's a completed process, our profession may undergo significant changes in terms of QoL and compensation as a result of management's automation leverage.

Given the current trajectory of machine learning, I think the OP is taking on significant risk by investing in a long term airline career. I'd at least recommend having a backup plan in case this happens sooner than later.